This beautiful Advent reflection invites us into a gripping adventure story that mirrors our own spiritual journey. As young Jotham finds himself running from danger and discovering the community of Qumran, we're confronted with a profound theological tension: Do we need to become perfect before God will accept us, or does God meet us exactly where we are? The debate between Nathan and the rabbi captures a struggle many of us face—the rabbi insists we must become worthy before the Messiah comes, while Nathan understands the revolutionary truth that the whole purpose of the Messiah is to cleanse us in our unworthiness. This echoes Luke 24:25-27, where Jesus himself had to open the scriptures to help people understand what was plainly written. How often do we miss what's right in front of us because we've been taught to see it a certain way, or because accepting the truth would require us to change? As we light the peace candle this Advent season, we're reminded that Christ is our Prince of Peace precisely because He doesn't wait for us to get our act together. He climbs mountains, hides in caves, and walks directly into our fear and uncertainty with steadfast love. The question for us this Christmas isn't whether we're good enough—it's whether we're willing to come as we are and let Him transform us.